Poems for January 2012
The following verses are selections from the poetry of James E. Cox (Jim). To learn more about the author and his works, visit the sites under “Navigation.”
A goodbye ballad to 2011:
The Saga of 2011
(The Market)
It seems like this time every year,
when I write my review,
the market always leads the way
in what turned life askew.
The banks are still the bad guys,
who in their quest for gold
pay little when they borrow
but make all pay tenfold.
They’ve done some things illegal
and many have been caught,
but lawyers wear a blindfold
and justice oft is bought.
(Congress)
Our country’s credit dropped a mite
cause Congress failed to act.
Their budget would not hover…
cause pork was badly stacked.
They asked to give them added time
to come to a consensus.
Unfortunately, they never will…
for none of them are Mensas.
(The Weather )
The weather was abominable.
The polar caps still melt.
The bears, the seals and penguins
must move from whence they dwelt.
But, foolish man says, “Ain’t my fault.
It’s Nature run awry.”
He really says, “I need not change”…
until I sense my death is nigh.
(Japan)
Strong earthquakes often hit Japan,
but March’s shook the world.
Tsunamis filled atomic plants
and global fear unfurled.
Bad isotopes still ride the air
and fall upon the land.
We will not know all damage done
to fish or trees…or Man.
Yet, some men missed the lesson
and search to tame the atom.
Why anyone would dare truss death
true wise men cannot fathom.
(Phoenix)
Haboobs dusted Phoenix
several times this year.
‘Twas not to do but cuss the dust
and wait for it to clear.
(Heartland)
Tornados, heat and earthquakes
battered our land too.
Nature seemed as in a snit
and act like Fu Manchu.
(NBA)
The NBA was idle
when teams were due to play.
The owners locked the players out
till all could have their say.
The million dollar players
demanded to have more.
The owners said, “We risk our wealth
to put you on the floor.”
It matters not who wins the fight
or who gets most the pay,
for damn it all, as I recall,
it’s fans that have to pay.
(Reality Shows)
Some shows now dominate TV…
for many they’re the rage.
The ads say they’re reality.
I ask you, with what gauge?
The plot is oft ridiculous
and milieu oft bizarre.
The winner often does some acts
that earn him plumes and tar.
They always seem to praise the one
who’s morals are effete…
not something we should tell our kids
is how they should compete.
(The God Particle)
Congress says “don’t pray in school”…
change Christmas to a season…
a miniscule are atheists,
but that is how fools reason.
Scientists searched hard to find
the particle from “God.”
If found they’ll have to change the name
to get the Congress nod.
(Awards)
Grammy, Obie, Oscar, Emmy
oft filled our TV fare.
The egos of professionals
are given time to blare.
I used to find it bothered me
when they who best pretend
are given such great accolades
as a dividend...
until I watched them try to live
among their fellow man.
For that, it seems, the only role
that they have no command.
(Osama Bin Laden)
Osama Bin Laden is dead and gone…
particulars are moot.
Should you surprise a rattlesnake,
a wise man knows…best shoot.
(Campaign Trail—from Blog)
Cain et al
If you would run for President,
best assay your past sins.
For when your hat lands in the ring
the filleting begins.
Far better you tell everyone
why you are not a saint.
For they that fine-tune microscopes
will oft find that you ain’t.
If morals, logic or your past
are dappled by your lies,
you’ll have to answer them anon…
and crave don’t wave “Goodbyes.”
(The Wars)
We’ve pulled our soldiers from Iraq;
let’s pray we don’t return.
Let’s also leave Afghanistan…
let no more stomachs churn.
Iraq and soon Afghanistan
must keep their lands secure.
We’ve chased their foes into the hills
that they can now endure.
It’s time that we tell Pakistan
that they have lost our trust.
We tried to succor friendship,
but only fed their lust.
(To our Departed)
We all lost precious loved ones
that we held ever dear.
But, celebrate their passing
‘cause God has called them near.
(Fini)
This poem offers snapshots
of what occurred this year.
I’d raise my stein and wish it “Prost!”…
but I’d be…insincere.
For more poems and information about the author and his books, visit the sites under "Navigation"…and come again next month for entirely new poems.